Sewing table

ABSTRACT

A table, preferably of plastic, having a storage well formed therein for receiving a sewing machine and including a table top insert for covering the storage well when the machine is stored therein and for covering a portion of the opening only when the machine is placed in its normal sewing position.

United States Patent Inventors George L. Zilg Dunellen; Henry J. Milan,Clark, NJ. Appl. No. 822,457 Filed May 7, 1969 Patented Mar. 2, 1971Assignee The Singer Company New York, N.Y.

SEWING TABLE 10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

U.S.Cl 1l2/2l7.l, 108/14, 312/208 Int. Cl. D05b 75/00, D05b 77/00 Fieldof Search 108/11, 12,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,227,384 5/1917 Ca 108/13X2,247,380 7/1941 Hohmann..... 112/217.1 2,882,111 4/1959 Jackson 3 12/21X Primary ExaminerPatrick D. Lawson Assistant Examiner-George l-l.Krizmanich AttorneysMarshall J. Breen, Chester A. Williams, Jr. and F.

Donald Paris ABSTRACT: A table, preferably of plastic, having a storagewell formed therein for receiving a sewing machine and including a tabletop insert for covering the storage well when the machine is storedtherein and for covering a portion of the opening only when the machineis placed in its normal sewing position.

PATENTEU'MAR znsn slseslels sum 1 OF 2 =JIIIII INVENTORS George L. ZilgBY Henry J. Milan 121M bfiM ATTORNEY SEWING TABLE SUMMARY OF THEINVENTION The present invention relates to tables adapted for use withsewing machines and more particularly to a novel and improvedconstruction for a sewing machine table for storing a sewing machine andfor supporting the-machine in its normal sewing position.

The present invention provides a table, preferably made of plastic,having a machine storage well formed therein and having operablyassociated therewith a removable L-shaped insert adapted for placementin a selected one of two positions. When the sewing machine is stored inthe storage well it is desirable to provide a cover therefor and toaccomplish this end the long side of the insert is placed over thestorage well. When the machine is placed inits upright normal sewingposition it is desirable to having a working surface disposed rearwardlyof the machine and toward this end the insert is disposed so that itsshort side covers the open portion of the machine storage well directlyin back of the sewing machine. In either position of the insert the sidethereof not being used is located within the storage well adjacent itsrear wall so as to be hidden from the view of the operator.

Accordingly, it is a primary objectof this invention to provide a noveland improved table construction for use with a sewing machine.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sewingtable with a novel and improved construction which performs a desiredfunction both when the machine is stored and in its normal sewingposition. Another object of the present invention is to provide a sewingtable having a machine storage well with a two-position removable insertadapted to completely cover the storage well in one position and tocover the rear portion of the storage well only when in a secondposition.

Still yet a further object of the present invention is to provide for aplastic sewing table having a machine storage well, a uniqueconstruction for an insert for providing a cover for the storage well.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Having in mind the above and otherobjects that will be evident from an understanding of this disclosure,the invention comprises the combinations and arrangements of parts asillustrated in the presently preferred embodiments of the inventionwhich is hereinafter set forth in such detail as to enable those skilledin the art readily to understand the functions, operation, constructionand advantages of it when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a disassembled front perspective view of a sewing table havinga machine storage well and a removable table top insert thereforconstructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 in FIG. 1illustrating a sewing machine in its stored position and the table topinsert arranged to provide a cover for the complete storage well;

FIG. 3 is like FIG. 2 illustrating the sewing machine in its normalsewing position and the table top insert arranged to cover the portionof the storage well located rearwardly of the machine only; and

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the table of FIG. 1 showing the machinestorage well.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to theaccompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals designate similarparts throughout the various views, the preferred form of the presentinvention is herein disclosed is embodied in a table 11, all of whoseparts preferably are molded from a suitable plastic, having foursupporting plastic legs 12 secured to the inside corners of the table ina conventional manner by means of nuts and bolts generally referred toby the reference numeral 13 and a table top insert generally designated14, the details of which will be described subsequent hereto. The table11 is formed with a storage well 15 for receiving and storing a sewingmachine 16 of the type disclosed in the U.S. Pat. applications Ser. No.631,271 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,420,198 and Ser. No. 631,339 now U.S. Pat.No. 3,467,041 assigned to the assignee of the present invention, when"the machine is not being used. The storage well 15 is formed by a frontwall 17, a rear wall 18, a pair of similar sidewalls 19-19, and a lowermachine supporting shelf or shield 20'illustrated as being integral withthe front wall 17 and the sidewalls 19-19 and extending rearwardly fromthe front wall tenninating at a fixed distance from the rear wall 18thereby to define an elongated opening 21. As best. illustrated in'FIG.2 the shield 20 slopes downwardly relative to the horizontal inarearward direction to provide suffrcient space to accommodate the sewingmachine 16 in its stored position between the shield 20 and the tabletop insert 14. On each sidewall 19 located proximate to the rear wall 18' there is provided a vertical rib 22 spaced from the rear wall 18 thusdefining a pair of opposing grooves 23-23 which receive the laterallyspaced edges of the insert 14. The uppermost surface of the rib 22 islocated a short distance below the top surface of the table 11. A secondpair of opposing grooves or channels 24-24 forwardly spaced fromthegrooves 23-23 are provided on the sidewalls 19-19, each groove 24 beingformed by a pair of spaced ribs 25-25, which are similar in constructionto the ribs 22. These grooves 24-24 are designed to receive a rim 26disposed about the bed of the sewing machine 16 and thus, hold themachine securely in place within the storage well 15. With the machinestored in the well 15 the upper portion of the machine bed is supportedby an upturned lip 27 which terminates the free end of the shield 20,while the lower portion of the machine bed overlies the opening 21. Nearthe top of the storage well 15 along the front portion of each sidewall19 and also along the adjacent portion of the front wall 17 there isprovided a shelf or ledge generally designated 28 comprising a raisedportion 29 at either extremity thereof on the sidewalls 19-19 and thefront wall 17, and an intermediate lower portion 30 disposed on eachsidewall 19. As shown in the drawings the shelf portion 29 is disposedat the same vertical level as are the top surfaces of the ribs 22 and25-25 for supporting the insert 14 so that the latter is substantiallyflush in either selected one of its positions with the top surface ofthe table 11.

The table top insert 14, as shown in FIG. 2, provides a closure forcovering the machine storage well 15 completely when the machine 16 isstored therein and as shown in FIG. 3, when the machine is placed in itsnormal upright sewing position the insert 14 covers that portion of thestorage well 15 located between the machine 16 and the rear wall 18 thusproviding a work supporting surface for the material being worked upon.The insert 14 has an L-shaped configuration and comprises a short side31 and a long side 32, the former being utilized during normal sewingoperation (see FIG. 3) and the latter when the machine is stored (seeFIG. 2). On the inner surface extending between the free ends of theinsert 14 adjacent each of its lateral edges there is provided a pair oflaterally spaced ribs 33-33 one of whose functions is to increase therigidity of the insert and to prevent any undesired flexing thereof.Each rib 33 is spaced inwardly from the adjacent outer edge to define acontinuous supporting surface 34 for mounting the table top insert inits desired position. As shown in FIG. 2, with the machine 16 stored inthe well 15 the short side 31 of the insert 14 is vertically disposedwith its corresponding opposing edge surfaces 34 being located in theopposing grooves 23, respectively, located adjacent the rear wall 18 ofthe storage well 15. The corresponding opposing edge surfaces 34 of thelong side 32 of the insert 14 are disposed in supporting contact withthe top surfaces of the ribs 22, 25-25 and the raised shelf portions 29,and overlies the entire storage well 15 with its upper surface beingflush with the table top surface. Manipulation of the insert isfacilitated by providing in the table top a front and a rear recess35-35 and a side recess 36 formed adjacent the intermediate shelfportion 30. To perform a sewing operation, the insert 14 manually isremoved and the machine 16 is placed in its upright sewing position, asshown in FIG. 3, with its rim 26 being supported on the raised shelfportions 29. The recess 36 also assists the operator in manipulating themachine into its upright sewing position. The insert 14 then is orientedso that its long side 32 is vertically disposed with its correspondingedge surfaces 34 being aligned with the grooves 23. Upon lowering thelong side 32 into the grooves 23 the short side 31 of the insert isdimensioned to fill the opening located behind the machine with thecorresponding edge surfaces 34 of the short side being supported by thetop surfaces of the ribs 22, 25-25, and the raised shelf portions 29located on the sidewalls 19-19. This arrangement is best illustrated inFIG. 3. To place the machine in its stored position the reverseprocedure is followed and the insert 14 is oriented so that its longside 32 covers the storage well completely with the short side 31 beingvertically disposed between the opposing grooves 23-23.

Various alterations of the structure herein disclosed will suggestthemselves to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be understoodthat the present disclosure relates to a preferred embodiment of ourinvention which is for purposes of illustration only and not to beconstrued as a limitation of the invention. All such modifications whichdo not depart from the spirit of the invention or which may beequivalents thereof are intended to be included within the scope of theappended claims.

We claim:

I. A table having a top including a well formed therein for receivingand storing a sewing machine, a front wall, a rear wall and a pair ofopposing sidewalls extending downwardly from said top defining saidwell, a shelf extending from the bottom of at least one of said wallsand terminating a fixed distance from a second of said walls forming afree end for supporting said sewing machine when it is stored withinsaid well and defining a lower opening with the latter of said walls, aremovable unitary insert for insertion into said lower opening in saidwell in a selected one of two positions comprising a short side and along side disposed substantially perpendicular to one another, the longside being shaped to provide an uninterrupted closure for said well, theshort side being shaped to provide a partial closure for said well, theshort side in a first position corresponding to the stored position ofsaid sewing machine being vertically oriented relative to said table topwhereby said insert provides a substantially complete closure for saidwell and said short side in a second position being horizontallydisposed relative to said table top whereby said insert provides aclosure for a predetermined portion of said well only, and means in saidtable for removably supporting said insert substantially flush with saidtable top in either of its two positions.

2. A table according to claim 1 wherein said opposing sidewalls areprovided with a pair of opposing grooves located directly above saidlower opening adjacent said rear wall, said opposing grooves beingconstructed and arranged for receiving corresponding edge surfaces ofsaid insert in its two positions thereby to properly locate said insertrelative to said opening.

3. A table according to claim 1 including opposing grooves provided onsaid opposing sidewalls and being spaced from said rear wall at alocation adjacent said free end of said shelf, said opposing groovesbeing 3 and arranged so as to receive and operably hold said sewingmachine in its stored position. sewing stored 4. A table according toclaim 3 wherein the free end of said opposing shelf includes an upturnedlip, said grooves being disposed on said sidewalls in a plane locatedbetween said upturned lip and said rear wall, whereby said lip providessupport for said sewing machine in its stored osition S. A tableaccording to claim wherein the means for removably supporting saidinsert is located on each of said sidewalls and extends for a portion ofsaid front wall adjacent each of said sidewalls, the supporting meansincluding a shelf located relative to the top surface of said table soas to locate said insert in a position substantially flush with the topsurface of said table.

6. A table according to claim 1 including two pairs of opposingvertically extending grooves formed in said sidewalls, rib means on eachof said sidewalls defining each groove, a first of said groove pairsbeing located directly adjacent said rear wall and being adapted toslidably receive said insert, a second of said groove pairs being spacedinwardly of said first groove pair and located in a plane adjacent saidfree end of said shelf, said second pair being adapted for receiving andholding said sewing machine in its stored position.

7. A table according to claim 1 wherein said table and said insert aremade of plastic.

8. A plastic sewing table having a storage well formed therein adaptedto receive a sewing machine having a bed provided with a rim extendingabout the periphery of said bed, said table comprising front, rear and apair of sidewalls defining said storage well and a supporting shelfformed integral with at least one of said walls, said shelf extendingbetween opposing walls and terminating in a free end formed with anupturned lip spaced from said one of said opposing walls thereby todefine a bottom opening, a plurality of ribs disposed on each side alldefining first and second vertically extending grooves on each sidewall,said first groove being located adjacent said rear wall, said secondgroove being located in a plane adjacent said free end, a ledge providedadjacent the top of said storage well on at least two of said walls andbeing capable of supporting said machine in an upright position adjacentsaid front wall, a removable inset having a long side and a short sideand being adapted to be supported in a selected one of two positions bysaid ledge wherein when said sewing machine is stored with said rim inregister with said second grooves said long side is disposed to coversaid storage well completely with said short side extending downwardlyin said first grooves, and when said sewing machine is disposed in itsupright position supported by said ledge said short side is adapted tocover the open portion of said storage well located between said rearwall and said sewing machine.

9. A table as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for removablysupporting said insert includes a ledge formed on at least one of saidwalls below said table top adjacent that portion of the well not closedin the second position by said insert, said ledge thereby supportingsaid insert when said insert is in its first position and adapted tosupport said sewing machine in an upright operable sewing position whensaid insert is disposed in its second position.

10. A table according to claim 1 wherein said supporting means comprisesa plurality of projections formed on each of said opposing sidewalls,each said projection having a plane surface disposed below said tabletop, said insert including a pair of laterally spaced ribs formed on theinner surface of each said long side and each said short side andextending for substantially the entire length thereof, said ribs beingspaced inwardly from adjacent edges thereby to define a surface forsupporting said insert on said plane surfaces in said first and secondpositions.

mg UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,566,816 Dated March 2, 1971 lnyentofls) George L. Zilg and Henry J.Milan It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patentand that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 3, line 65 (claim 3) delete "3" and insert constructed deleteline 67.

Column 4, line 39 (claim 8) change "inset" to insert Signed and sealedthis 2nd day of November 1971.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.F1'.|ETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Acting Commissioner of PeteAttesting Officer

1. A table having a top including a well formed therein for receivingand storing a sewing machine, a front wall, a rear wall and a pair ofopposing sidewalls extending downwardly from said top defining saidwell, a shelf extending from the bottom of at least one of said wallsand terminating a fixed distance from a second of said walls forming afree end for supporting said sewing machine when it is stored withinsaid well and defining a lower opening with the latter of said walls, aremovable unitary insert for insertion into said lower opening in saidwell in a selected one of two positions comprising a short side and along side disposed substantially perpendicular to one another, the longside being shaped to provide an uninterrupted closure for said well, theshort side being shaped to provide a partial closure for said well, theshort side in a first position corresponding to the stored position ofsaid sewing machine being vertically oriented relative to said table topwhereby said insert provides a substantially complete closure for saidwell and said short side in a second position beinG horizontallydisposed relative to said table top whereby said insert provides aclosure for a predetermined portion of said well only, and means in saidtable for removably supporting said insert substantially flush with saidtable top in either of its two positions.
 2. A table according to claim1 wherein said opposing sidewalls are provided with a pair of opposinggrooves located directly above said lower opening adjacent said rearwall, said opposing grooves being constructed and arranged for receivingcorresponding edge surfaces of said insert in its two positions therebyto properly locate said insert relative to said opening.
 3. A tableaccording to claim 1 including opposing grooves provided on saidopposing sidewalls and being spaced from said rear wall at a locationadjacent said free end of said shelf, said opposing grooves being 3 andarranged so as to receive and operably hold said sewing machine in itsstored position. sewing stored
 4. A table according to claim 3 whereinthe free end of said opposing shelf includes an upturned lip, saidgrooves being disposed on said sidewalls in a plane located between saidupturned lip and said rear wall, whereby said lip provides support forsaid sewing machine in its stored position.
 5. A table according toclaim 1 wherein the means for removably supporting said insert islocated on each of said sidewalls and extends for a portion of saidfront wall adjacent each of said sidewalls, the supporting meansincluding a shelf located relative to the top surface of said table soas to locate said insert in a position substantially flush with the topsurface of said table.
 6. A table according to claim 1 including twopairs of opposing vertically extending grooves formed in said sidewalls,rib means on each of said sidewalls defining each groove, a first ofsaid groove pairs being located directly adjacent said rear wall andbeing adapted to slidably receive said insert, a second of said groovepairs being spaced inwardly of said first groove pair and located in aplane adjacent said free end of said shelf, said second pair beingadapted for receiving and holding said sewing machine in its storedposition.
 7. A table according to claim 1 wherein said table and saidinsert are made of plastic.
 8. A plastic sewing table having a storagewell formed therein adapted to receive a sewing machine having a bedprovided with a rim extending about the periphery of said bed, saidtable comprising front, rear and a pair of sidewalls defining saidstorage well and a supporting shelf formed integral with at least one ofsaid walls, said shelf extending between opposing walls and terminatingin a free end formed with an upturned lip spaced from said one of saidopposing walls thereby to define a bottom opening, a plurality of ribsdisposed on each side all defining first and second vertically extendinggrooves on each sidewall, said first groove being located adjacent saidrear wall, said second groove being located in a plane adjacent saidfree end, a ledge provided adjacent the top of said storage well on atleast two of said walls and being capable of supporting said machine inan upright position adjacent said front wall, a removable inset having along side and a short side and being adapted to be supported in aselected one of two positions by said ledge wherein when said sewingmachine is stored with said rim in register with said second groovessaid long side is disposed to cover said storage well completely withsaid short side extending downwardly in said first grooves, and whensaid sewing machine is disposed in its upright position supported bysaid ledge said short side is adapted to cover the open portion of saidstorage well located between said rear wall and said sewing machine. 9.A table as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for removablysupporting said insert includes a ledge formed on at least one of saidwalls below said table top adjacent that portion of the well not closedin the second positiOn by said insert, said ledge thereby supportingsaid insert when said insert is in its first position and adapted tosupport said sewing machine in an upright operable sewing position whensaid insert is disposed in its second position.
 10. A table according toclaim 1 wherein said supporting means comprises a plurality ofprojections formed on each of said opposing sidewalls, each saidprojection having a plane surface disposed below said table top, saidinsert including a pair of laterally spaced ribs formed on the innersurface of each said long side and each said short side and extendingfor substantially the entire length thereof, said ribs being spacedinwardly from adjacent edges thereby to define a surface for supportingsaid insert on said plane surfaces in said first and second positions.